Last night when I got home, there was steak on the grill and a card and orchid waiting for me on the dining room table. Sweet D, my biggest supporter. This morning when I came downstairs, he kissed me and said, “Happy Launch Day.” May every writer have this kind of encouragement.

Sadly, I also got a call from my cousin this morning, telling me that my dear aunt passed away. She had a massive stroke on Sunday evening, and was moved to hospice care on Tuesday. My dad flew out to Denver, where she has been living for the last year, to spend their last days together. I know it’s for the best; she was not going to recover from the stroke, and she was ready to die, but still, we were close, and I’m going to miss her. I know she’ll be with me tonight in spirit, and I hope she knows how much I loved her. I think she did.

And she would want me to celebrate today, so I’m going to try to do just that. Come down to Open Book tonight at 7 p.m. if you can. I’ll talk a little about Use Your Words, and then there will be short readings by contributors Anne Greenwood Brown, Lucinda Cummings, and Sara Martin. Wine, appetizers and a book signing will follow.

I’m also happy to report that the blog book tour for Use Your Words kicks off tomorrow, the same day that my book will be featured on Christina Katz’s wonderful blog, The Prosperous Writer, as part of her Mama Writer Every-Day-in-May Book Giveaway. If you haven’t checked this out, go now.